How can collaboration impact writings in the L2 in a high-complexity school?

This study seeks to investigate the impact of collaboration on written productions in the L2 in a high-complexity school situated in the Maresme area (Barcelona). In order to carry out the research, qualitative data has been used to draw a comparison between sixteen individual writings and four collaborative texts performed by 2nd ESO students, with a low command of English, during a 2-hour class session. Consisting of three phases, this analysis focuses first on the texts from an error point of view; then it observes the students' conversations during the collaborative task through video recordings, and, finally, it provides an overview of their perception based on a questionnaire administered after the two tasks. Findings show a significant improvement in the overall results in regard to language production and a positive attitude from the students towards collaboration, which should be further explored by teachers working in challenging contexts.Aquest estudi té per objectiu investigar l'impacte de la col·laboració en produccions escrites en la L2 en un centre de màxima complexitat situat a la comarca del Maresme (Barcelona). Per dur a terme la recerca, s'han emprat dades de caràcter qualitatiu per tal de traçar una comparativa entre setze textos individuals i quatre de col·laboratius produïts per alumnes de 2n de la ESO, amb baix domini de l'anglès, durant una sessió de dues hores de classe. Consistent en tres fases, aquesta anàlisi es centra primer en els textos des del punt de vista dels errors; després observa les conversacions dels alumnes durant la tasca col·laborativa a través de gravacions de vídeo, i, finalment, proporciona una visió de les seves percepcions basada en un qüestionari realitzat després de les dues tasques. Els resultats mostren una millora considerable dels resultats globals pel que fa a la producció lingüística i una actitud positiva dels alumnes vers la col·laboració, que hauria de ser més explorada per aquells professors que treballen en contextos difícils

A review of new and existing non-extractive techniques for monitoring marine protected areas

Publication history: Accepted - 23 June 2023; Published - 19 July 2023.Ocean biodiversity loss is being driven by several anthropogenic threats and significant efforts are required to halt losses and promote healthy marine ecosystems. The establishment of a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) can help restrict damaging activities and have been recognised as a potential solution to aid marine conservation. When managed correctly they can deliver both ecological and socio-economic benefits. In recent times, MPA designations have increased rapidly while many countries have set future MPA targets for the decades ahead. An integral element of MPA management is adequate monitoring that collects data to assess if conservation objectives are being achieved. Data acquired by monitoring can vary widely as can the techniques employed to collect such data. Ideally, non-destructive and non-invasive methods are preferred to prevent damage to habitats and species, though this may rule out a number of traditional extractive sampling approaches such as dredges and trawls. Moreover, advances in ocean observation technologies enable the collection of large amounts of data at high resolutions, while automated data processing is beginning to make analyses more logistically feasible and less time-consuming. Therefore, developments to existing marine monitoring techniques and new emerging technologies have led to a diverse array of options when choosing to implement an MPA monitoring programme. Here, we present a review of new and existing non-extractive techniques which can be applied to MPA monitoring. We summarise their capabilities, applications, advantages, limitations and possible future developments. The review is intended to aid MPA managers and researchers in determining the suitability of available monitoring techniques based on data requirements and site conditions.This research was funded through the Marine Protected Area Monitoring and Management (MarPAMM) project, which is supported by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) with matching funding from the Government of Ireland, the Northern Ireland Executive, and the Scottish Government. This research was also carried out with the support of the Marine Institute under the Marine Research Programme with the support of the Irish Government

Measurement of Carbon Dioxide Using Low-Cost & Compact Spectroscopy Based Gas Sensor

A compact and low-cost gas sensor using absorption spectroscopy for Carbon Dioxide (CO2) measurement is presented. The sensing principle is based on open-path direct absorption spectroscopy in the mid-infrared range. The improved reflective structure of optical gas sensor consists of low cost and compact components, such as filament emitter, multispectral pyroelectric detector, Calcium Fluoride (CaF2) window and aluminium curve reflective surface. In the previous investigation, the optimized gas cell structure was simulated using ZEMAX®12 software prior to fabrication for measuring CO2 gas concentration. The developed gas sensing system using the optimized gas cell structure has shown the capability of accurately detecting CO2 concentration. The sensor utilizes a CaF2 narrow bandpass (NBP) filter for detection of CO2 gas with no cross-sensitivity with other gases present in the gas cell. The repeatability of sensor’s response of detecting CO2 was tested with response times were calculated as being less than 1 second

Highly Responsive CO2 Detection by an Improved & Compact Gas Sensor Using Mid-IR Spectroscopy

An improved and compact gas sensor using midinfrared spectroscopy for highly responsive Carbon Dioxide (CO2) detection is presented. The sensing principle is based on open-path direct absorption spectroscopy in the mid-infrared region. The improved reflective structure of optical gas sensor consists of low cost and compact components. Several gas cell configuration which includes SISO, 2-MISO, 4-MISO and 8- MISO were simulated using ZEMAX®12 using non-sequential ray tracing technique to get the optimum radius of the reflective curved surface. Sensitivity analysis has shown that the optimised structure of 4-MISO yields the highest sensitivity and power efficiency of -0.2895%-1 and 12.298% respectively. The developed gas sensing system using the optimised gas cell has shown the capability of accurately detecting CO2 concentration between 1.5% and 5.8% with no cross-sensitivity with other gases present in the gas cell. The newly developed CO2 sensor exhibits high responsivity with the recorded rise time and fall time of less than 1 second respectively

Application of thruster fault-tolerant control system based on the hybrid method for control allocation in real-world environment

Fault-tolerant control system for marine robots, developed by researchers at Centre for Robotics & Intelligent Systems (CRIS), University of Limerick, utilises the hybrid method for control allocation, based on the integration of the pseudoinverse and the fixed-point iteration method. The algorithm is implemented as a two-step process. In the first step, the pseudoinverse solution is found, and the feasibility of the solution is examined analysing its components. If violation of actuator constraint(s) is detected, the fixed-point iteration method is activated in the second step. In this way, the hybrid method for control allocation can allocate the exact solution, optimal in the l2 sense, inside the entire attainable command set. This solution minimises a control energy cost function, the most suitable criteria for underwater applications. The performance of the thruster fault-tolerant control system has been validated during the research cruise CE19001, where the work-class ROV Étaín, deployed from support vessel Celtic Explorer via Tether Management System (TMS), successfully performed several complex subsea tasks with a faulty horizontal thruster. This paper describes the algorithm, provides geometric interpretation and presents the results from field trials

Hazardous exhaust gas monitoring using a deep UV based differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) system

A fibre-optic sensor for the monitoring of hazardous exhaust gases is described. The sensor based on Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy was developed to operate within exhaust environments, monitor several exhaust gases and demonstrate low susceptibility to interferences from other gases. Experimental results describing the calibration of the sensor against a commercial analyser and tests documenting the sensor’s operating capabilities within the exhaust of an engine are presented. The lower limit of detection for the sensor was found to be 5ppm for nitric oxide, and 1ppm for both nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. Response times were found to be 3.4 seconds

Highly selective optical fibre ammonia sensor for use in agriculture

A highly selective optical fibre sensor has been developed for the monitoring of low level atmospheric ammonia concentrations. The measuring technique employed is based on a differential optical absorption approach, which uses a broadband optical source, optical fibres for transmission and a miniature ultraviolet/visible spectrometer for detection. This novel technique for the detection of ammonia has previously been shown to be capable of monitoring concentrations as low as 1ppm without any notable cross-sensitivity issues [1]. The sensor was operated over a number of hours in-situ in an agricultural cattle enclosure and simultaneously with a commercially available ammonia sensor. Results shown herein demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed sensor to operate within the environment accurately, recording concentration levels of between 0 and 2 ppm.PUBLISHEDpeer-reviewe